Boxing came to the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario CA this past Saturday night. The main event saw Paul Williams (35-1, 26 KO’s) against the durable vet Verno Phillips (41-11-1, 21 KO’s). However, the night was about the co-main event featuring local boy and Heavyweight prospect Chris Arreola fighting the hard punching Travis Walker (28-1-1, 22 KO’s).
First, the arena is fantastic. A “mini” Staples Center if you will. Special thanks to one of the staff at the arena Joe Lewis. Joe, I hope you enjoyed the action. There were some celebs in attendance too; Pete Rose , James Toney & Ray Leonard to name a few. After seeing young Olympian Shawn Estrada make his pro debut with a first round stoppage, the crowd was in full force to cheer on one of their own in Chris Arreola. With the KO % so high with both Heavy’s, you just knew there would be fireworks. The 1st round opened with Walker charging out of his corner to find Arreola and he found him. Walker landed several big shots as Chris measured his opponent and tested his power. Chris did not like what he felt; Walker put him on the canvas with a hard right early in round 2. Walker was controlling the pace up to the knockdown but in typical fashion, Arreola found his spots and started to unload on Walker wobbling him several times in the later stages of the 2nd. Chris found the mark and downed Walker close to the end of round 2. Walker made it through the round but the 2 knockdowns and great action made it one of the best rounds of the year.
Round 3 was not long for this world as Chris more than likely took too much out of Walker in round 2. A few big shots and it’s over at the :13 mark of round 3. What did we learn? Probably nothing, Chris is going to get hit, going to throw a lot of punches and is a very exciting fan-friendly fighter. Is he ready for either Klitschko? Probably not tomorrow but in a few fights it just may happen if either of them are still relevant. Chris came in at 254 pounds and it did not seem he was in top shape. This has dogged him as his popularity spreads and hopefully the first 2 rounds of this fight will serve as a “wake up call” for Chris as one of his camp told me. Chris certainly has the intangibles to be a popular attraction in the Heavyweights and when was the last time we had a fun champ? Lennox Lewis and the Klitschko bros are great champs but not exactly quota
ble or engaging guys out of the ring. Chris has charisma to spare. Upon being asked if he would go to Germany to fight one of the Klitschko’s he said, “as soon as I get my green card”. Hey, he is not the perfect technical fighter but he is all out action and fun to watch and that is what the division and sport needs.
The main event followed and there was a lot on the line for both fighters but more so for Williams. The long Southpaw has a number of big contests in the works for 2009 and a loss to Phillips would be a big set back. The 1st round started to form, Paul is long with his 82” reach, and it showed. Phillips moved well and
slipped punches but Paul just kept throwing. A butt opened an angry cut over William’s right eye late in the 1st. It did not play a crucial role in the fight but it was a concern. Phillips kept throwing throughout the fight but each round took more and more out him and at the end of round 8 the ring physician advised the referee to stop the fight and it was over. The TKO means a lot as Phillips was only stopped once and it was in 1988 in his 5th fight.
What did we learn here, not much either. Williams is long, athletic and can take a punch. Not to mention his work rate is very high and he can crack with both hands. What is not to like? Paul Williams has done what a lot of young fighters have not recently and that is come back from his only loss stronger and better. It can sometimes feel like he hasn’t lost as he chose the Lennox Lewis route and stopped his only conqueror in one round to avenge the loss. The future is bright for Williams but he had to go to a plastic surgeon to close the cut. That could mean about a 6 month layoff for the Champ.
Under Cards.
From Riverside, CA Josesito Lopez (23-3 13KO’s) landed a beautiful over hand right that made Alex Perez (23-32-4 18KO’s) from Miami, FL taste the canvas. Perez beat the count but it wasn’t enough for the beating Lopez unleashed after getting up, the referee saw enough and stopped the fight at the 2:36 mark of the second round, Lopez wins by TKO.
Manuel Quezada (25-4 15KO’s) from Bakersfield, CA dominated Teke Oruh (14-2-1 6KO’s) from Las Vegas, CA with the same tactic, a 1-2 combination and working the body. Quezada outworked Oruh thru the scheduled ten rounds earning him a unanimous decision. All three judges scored the bout 98-92 for Quezada.
Michael Dallas (5-0-1 1KO) from Bakersfield, CA studded up and exchanged blows with Jose Alfredo Lugo (10-5-1 5KO’s) from Los Mochis, MX. With some great back and fourth action making it hard to score the bout, but at the end the score was 58-56 57-57 and 57-57 ending the fight in a draw.
James, you are so right on. I agree with everything you said and I was there. Keep up the great writing and I am sure you will be on HBO soon.
Comments are closed.